Jul 31 2008
Brooks Orpik is paid HOW MUCH?!
League salaries started spiraling out of control right after the 2004 lockout. I thought the 2007-2008 season would be the topper in insane salary offers, especially with the formerly protected/”off limits” restricted free agents getting high-priced offer sheets! But, sadly, no, the upcoming 2008-2009 season seems to have surpassed even that and the NHL players, owners, and GMs seem intent on making as much money as they can in a short time, just waiting for league bankruptcy.
I digress.
My example today of “Overpaid … and for what?!” is Brooks Orpik. He’s a bit of a goon, probably best known for being the guy who broke Erik Cole’s neck. He’s a mediocre defenseman from Western New York who has played his entire five-year professional career for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Of his five professional years, only the last three have been full-time in the NHL. Brooks Orpik averages seven points a year. Yes, seven. Last season, he tallied 1 goal and 10 assists. Let me again mention that he is a goon. Some call him an “enforcer” (how I hate that term!), but really he’s a bit dirty and sneaky. League minimums aside, I would estimate his value at $1 million, tops.
Brooks Orpik will be making $3.75 million next season, and the five seasons after that, thanks to the insanity of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Let’s compare that to his defensive teammates. Ryan Whitney, who played in four more games than Orpik and had a total of 40 points last year, will make $3 million. Kris Letang, seven years younger than Orpik, managed 17 points, playing in almost 20 fewer games than Orpik. Letang will make $685,000 for his third NHL year. Robert Scuderi, who spent most of his years in the AHL, played in seven less games than Orpik and had half as many points. Scuderi’s 2008-2009 salary is $725,000.
Pittsburgh is going to run into salary cap trouble sooner than later, what with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin’s contracts. They’re going to be stuck with the Orpik contract, unable to trade an overpriced goon. Or if this pushes up arbitration salaries for sub-par D men across the league, Pittsburgh owes all the fans an apology at the start of the next lockout.
2 Responses to “Brooks Orpik is paid HOW MUCH?!”
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yeah, that might be another post … figured that one’s already been discussed!